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"He comes with terrific size and is someone who could move north on draft boards if he puts together a complete game," Pauline wrote. Such is the situation Gerry finds himself in. The former outside linebacker had a big first season at safety -- posting 88 tackles, five interceptions, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick return for a touchdown last year -- but evaluators want to see further refinement before investing.

Four-star 2015 RB recruit Jordan Stevenson, who was denied admission to Wisconsin, will play for Nebraska.

Stevenson will join Nebraska this season, as he is a member of the 2015 class. Up to 13 teams were in on Stevenson after his commitment with Wisconsin fell through. Both schools lost running backs to the NFL and are looking to replace the workhorses with younger players. Stevenson might not factor into the Husker's crowded backfield this season.

Alabama HC Nick Saban and his assistants have spoken with unsigned 2015 recruit Jordan Stevenson about the RB joining the Crimson Tide.

Stevenson was on his way to Wisconsin before not qualifying. 247 Sports reported 13 programs immediately showed interest in the four-star recruit. It is difficult to see other programs topping Alabama in this scenario.

2015 four-star RB recruit Jordan Stevenson was denied entry into Wisconsin and is now looking for a new school.

Stevenson initially committed to Texas back in 2013, but switched to Wisconsin in 2014. He is now free to sign with any FBS program, and CFT passes along a 247 Sports report that 13 programs are interested in adding the running back, including Alabama and Florida.

"Collins developed nicely last year, consistently getting guards off-balance with his quickness and strong hands," Kiper wrote. "He also showed an improved ability to work down the line and eat up running lanes, compiling 10.5 TFLs last season. Expect to see him in the backfield a lot in 2015 if this growth rate continues." Kiper grades Collins as the No. 3 underclassman defensive tackle prospect in the NCAA. The 6-foot-2, 300-pounder posted 45 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 14 TFL in 2014 to earn second-team All-Big Ten honors.

Nebraska junior DT Maliek Collins is a former Missouri state champion wrestler.

According to Bill Landis of Cleveland.com, Collins' "strength makes him a tough matchup for interior offensive linemen, and he gets after the quarterback well for someone his size." The Cornhuskers lost Randy Gregory to the NFL draft, so Collins' impact might need to be even more significant to create disruption from the interior thanks to extra attention.

Nebraska junior DT Maliek Collins "brings explosiveness and quickness to the interior of the Nebraska defense, succeeding in breaking into the backfield and crashing the pocket," writes Sports on Earth's Matt Brown.

"While the enduring image of the 2014 Cornhuskers defense is its part in allowing Melvin Gordon to run for 408 yards in three quarters, that shouldn't overshadow just how good Collins is capable of being," Brown wrote. The 6-foot-2, 300-pounder posted 45 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 14 TFL in 2014 to earn second-team All-Big Ten honors. The scribe ranks Collins as the No. 5 defensive tackle in the NCAA. According to Brown, Collins succeeds "in breaking into the backfield and crashing the pocket" and is "the best building block for Mike Riley's new regime in trying to plug the holes we saw last year on defense."

Though Nebraska has never officially had a 1,000-yard receiver, ESPN's Brian Bennett believes sophomore WR De’Mornay Pierson-El could make history by breaking that barrier.

This is quite the prediction, as Pierson-El had only 23 catches for 321 yards last season. "But the dynamic sophomore showed his playmaking ability on punt returns, and if new coach Mike Riley can figure out ways to utilize the speedy slot man effectively, Pierson-El could become a breakthrough offensive player," Bennett wrote. "Jordan Westerkamp (747 yards last year) also figures to benefit from an expected emphasis on the passing game under Riley."

Nebraska junior DT Maliek Collins "can hold his own against single blocks, but he has issues holding up against down blocks and double teams, which he sees constantly during the game," according to NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein.

"Right now, the individual traits are better than the sum of their parts for Collins, but the traits are undeniable," Zierlein wrote. "Listed at 6-foot-2 and 300 pounds, Collins is built for athleticism over power and it doesn't take long to see just how athletic he is." The analyst ranks Collins as the No. 8 interior defensive linemen in the nation. "His feet are always better than the matchup across from him and he can close out ball carriers trying to hit the crease in his neighborhood," Zierlein wrote. "Look for a big jump from his sophomore season to this one." The 6-foot-2, 300-pound Collins posted 45 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 14 TFL in 2014 to earn second-team All-Big Ten honors.

"Although he's not the most rangy interior player, Valentine does move well laterally for a 320+ pounder, but again, he needs to be fresh to play at his peak and be the most effective. He has NFL potential if he can improve his stamina and overall consistency moving forward for the Huskers," Brugler wrote. The 6-foot-3, 320-pound Valentine recorded 45 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks in 11 starts last season for the Nebraska. Both Valentine and teammate Maliek Collins should be the foundation of Nebraska's defense in 2015.

CBS Sports' Dane Brugler believes that if Nebraska redshirt senior OT Alex Lewis "can get stronger and develop his blocking awareness," he "has enough in his toolbox to fight for playing time as a NFL rookie."

Lewis originally started his college career at Colorado, but due to an off-field incident Lewis transferred to Nebraska, forcing him to sit out the season in 2013. The 6-foot-6, 297-pound excelled in his first season as a starter for the Cornhuskers. Lewis earned honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors and academic All-Big Ten honors in 2014. Brugler notes that Lewis "has an adequate frame for the position with long arms and natural knee bend, keeping his feet moving and underneath him at all times.

"Collins isn't the most intimidating defensive tackle prospect on the sidelines with average size and bulk, but on the field, his play stands out due to his impressive movement skills. He is an outstanding athlete for the position with light feet, smooth hips and above average body control, using his initial surge and active hand use to rip and pull through bodies," Brugler wrote. The Nebraska prospect posted 45 tackles, 4.5 sacks, while leading the Cornhuskers with 14 tackles for loss in 2014. Collins earned second-team All-Big Ten honors and was named Nebraska’s co-Defensive MVP by his teammates. As a sophomore, the 6-foot-2, 300-pound Collins was under the radar last season, but should expect to face more double teams this season.

Nebraska junior S Nate Gerry, a former OLB, is "now a big playmaker at safety, and one of the key players for a Huskers team with hopes of winning a division title," notes Sports on Earth's Matt Brown.

Gerry moved back to safety as a sophomore last season, starting all 13 games. The move paid immediate dividends: Gerry had 88 tackles, five interceptions, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick return for a touchdown last year. Brown grades him as the No. 16 safety in the country.

Nebraska senior WR Jamal Turner was granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA.

Turner has dealt with multiple injuries since last fall, including a ruptured achilles last fall and arthroscopic knee surgery during the winter. The extra season could be very beneficial to the receiver who calls himself 95 percent healthy, as Turner has 64 career receptions for 799 yards and four touchdowns.

Nebraska redshirt junior ILB Michael Rose-Ivey (ACL) "will provide a huge boost" for the 'Huskers defense if he "can play as well as he did in the last half of the '13 season," notes NFL Media.

Rose-Ivey missed last season with a torn ACL suffered in practice. He's on pace to be 100 percent this season. "[Rose-Ivey] should be a key starter for new coach Mike Riley," wrote College Football 24/7 writer Mike Huguenin. "Nebraska has few proven linebackers, and depth likely will be an issue." Rose-Ivey set a Nebraska freshman record by posting 66 tackles in 2013.